Life's University
Strolling along the promenade on a bitterly cold winter’s day
Dressed head to toe in my warm winter coat, only my eyes and nose on display
A freezing north easterly bites at my feet
As I walk past a man on a bench fast asleep
He has all his belongings in a small plastic bag
With his dear loyal dog snuggled close, looking sad
An empty coffee mug; the remnants of a meal
Whatever happened in his life, for him to end up down at heel
We are told by those who know, to give them only food and drink
So as not to feed addictions, these escapes they surely seek
But they need much more than sustenance, such as hope and love I think
Those staring eyes, they say it all; lives on the edge; lives on the brink
I don’t have any answers for to help these poor lost souls
As they sink down even deeper, into life’s deepest black holes
My wish would be for them to gain the strength to fight adversity
To graduate with honours, from within life’s university
So now I will continue always greeting with a smile
Self-esteem so very low, a need to make them feel worthwhile
They are people just like you and I that life has just forgotten
I hope they find life’s happier days, for they are now rock bottom
Written 7th November 2018
Contest 135
Sponsor Brian Strand
Copyright © Ann Gilmour | Year Posted 2018
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